Mantle was extremely well-liked by his teammates and by most of his opponents.

Pitchers who had just been victimized by a Mantle home run appreciated the fact that he circled the bases with his head facing the ground. Mickey and the Yankees were the antithesis of many modern players who watch a deep drive hit the wall before they start to run.

The New York Yankees won the World Series in Mantle's first three years with the team. During the 1950s, a World Series share, especially a winning share, made a significant difference, sometimes equaling a player’s yearly salary.

It is common knowledge that Hank Bauer, who was close to Mickey, would discipline teammates, especially rookies or new teammates, if they didn’t ...